Bailey confirmed to Government Technology that his appointment as permanent CISO is official, following a LinkedIn post in which he reflected on the responsibility of the role and noted that cybersecurity in government goes beyond technology alone.
He described it as an ongoing effort built on public trust, noting the importance of making sure “the systems Nebraskans rely on will be there when they need them,” along with confidence that residents’ data is protected and that those responsible for defending it remain committed every day.
Bailey’s transition from interim to permanent CISO follows his appointment to the temporary role Jan. 27, after the departure of the state’s previous cybersecurity head, Abby Eccher-Young. The move formalizes leadership of Nebraska’s cybersecurity program, placing Bailey in charge of protecting enterprise systems and sensitive data across state agencies.
Before becoming interim CISO, Bailey had been Nebraska’s deputy state CISO, a position he took on in mid-2025. His background includes a range of public-sector cybersecurity roles, including experience with the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and work overseeing security operations for the city of Dallas.
The Office of the Chief Information Officer, which oversees Nebraska’s enterprise technology operations, has been expanding its cybersecurity capabilities over the past few years. Those efforts include strengthening coordination across agencies and investing in centralized security operations designed to improve visibility and response as threats become more sophisticated.
In his LinkedIn post, Bailey framed his permanent appointment as part of a longer-term effort rather than one with a finish line.
“Cybersecurity is a long game, and as the threats evolve and the stakes grow, the work never stops, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said.
